The Worshipful Company of Turners

News

Many congratulations to Sally Burnett, who has recently been invited to join Contemporary Applied Arts and was featured in their latest exhibition of new members. To become a CAA member, makers must demonstrate excellent knowledge of their material and exceptional skill in making.

The annual Inter Livery Clay Shoot has now been running for 20 years and has become an important event in the Livery Calendar. The star of Turners’ Team was without doubt, Freeman Shaun Stacy who, in difficult conditions shot a magnificent 75 out of 80 clays to take 2nd place.

The Turners' Company were delighted to sponsor the Building Crafts College's display at the New Designers Exhibition, Islington in July. Here, recent graduate Nic James displays a turned magnetic chess board.

For 2017, the Turners Company offered bursaries worth up to a combined value of £10,000 to assist talented woodturners to develop their craft skills and to move to a higher level of achievement. Following an exceptional standard of entries, the Company are delighted to announce the winners.

The Company golf day was held at Woodcote Park Golf Club, Coulsdon Surrey with a turnout of 16 Liverymen and guests all challenging for prizes. Many congratulations go to Past Master Peter Ellis, and guest Marilyn Luson, worthy winners of the Company trophy and guest prize.

The Bodgers' Ball is a fascinating event but not a Ball in any conventional sense. A three day festival of woodcraft demonstrations, courses and competitions, it is a celebration of all forms of green woodworking. Liveryman Katie Abbott had a particularly successful year and won three prizes.

For the first time ever the City of London Livery Companies and Lincoln Cathedral joined together to celebrate traditional crafts and skills essential to the preservation of the Cathedral. In the Turners' marquee crowds marvelled at what can be produced on the lathe.

The Judging Panel of the City Livery Club's “Root and Branch Award”, now in its 4th year, continues to discover exceptional Liverymen who have given of their time and talents to help others. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to our very own Master Emerita Penrose Halson.

The Company has sponsored studio space at Cockpit Arts in Deptford for Darren Appiagyei to develop his turning skills. Darren graduated in design and is now trying to make his way as a Turner. Here Darren shows newly appointed Howe Committee Chairman, Christopher Scott some of his recent work.

Liveryman Stuart King received the Company Gold Medal at the Court Lunch on 23rd March. "Thank you, dear turners, for this recognition / It will surely elevate my egoic condition / And did I hear the ghost of Dick Whittington once more exclaim? / Turn again, turn again, turn again" Stuart King

For 2017, The Turners’ Company is offering one or more Bursaries, worth up to a combined value of £10,000, to assist talented woodturners to develop their craft skills and to move to a higher level of achievement. The deadline for applications is now closed. Winners will be announced soon.

The Company welcomed the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley and the Sheriffs of the City of London to their Livery Dinner held at Skinners’ Hall. The Master Turner presented the Lord Mayor with a turned laburnham vessel by one of the greatest past Turners, the late Bert Marsh.

Students at Orchard Workship near Bristol recently completed their Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB) course and received their Certificates in Turning from the Master of the Turners' Company Nicholas Somers.

Jack Darach is one of Britain’s leading young Woodwind Instrument Makers. He was awarded the QEST Turners’ Livery Company Prize for 2016. At the Turners’ Company Livery Lunch on 28th September he played a delightful instrumental solo on his own, beautifully crafted, Ganassi Recorder.

With the help of a £5,000 grant from the Turners' Company, the Science Museum has taken in hand the major restoration of a most dramatically ornate rose engine lathe from the eighteenth century. Mystery surrounds the origins of this machine, with its amazing rococo decoration.

One hundred and thirty scouts and leaders get hands-on experience of woodturning thanks to the East Herts Woodturners - at an action-packed Gilwell 24 weekend held in July at the home of World Scouting.

In accordance with normal custom and practice Sheriffs, Alderman Peter Estlin and Alderman William Russell will be presented with their chains of office and Badges at a date to be decided in September. Their many friends and colleagues are invited to contribute by making a donation.